Carbonator and method of carbonation

ABSTRACT

A carbonator or carbonator-blender for producing and storing carbonated water or an admixture of carbonated water and syrup. An open-top bowl is disposed within a cylindrical CO2-pressurized chamber formed within a pressure tank. A nozzle is provided within the chamber for directing a conical stream of pressurized water into the bowl and another nozzle directs a stream of syrup against the side of the water stream. The bowl is provided with an abutment to produce a swirling action of the water and syrup therewithin and an aperture is formed in the bottom of the bowl for draining the admixture of water and syrup into the lower portion of the chamber.

United States Patent [72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45]Patented [73] Assignee [54] CARBONATOR AND METHOD OF CARBONATION2,262,940 11/1941 [sh-Shalom 259/4 2,271,896 2/1942 Lewis 261/1152,564,765 8/1951 Mercier. 55/178 2,746,641 5/1956 King 239/433 X2,868,516 1/1959 Moseley 259/4 2,880,912 4/1959 Fishler, 22/129.43,248,098 4/1966 Cornelius 261/115 Primary Examiner-Tim R. MilesAttorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson ABSTRACT: A carbonatoror carbonator-blender for producing and storing carbonated water or anadmixture of carbonated water and syrup. An open-top bowl is disposedwithin a cylindrical Co -pressurized chamber formed within a pressuretank. A nozzle is provided within the chamber for directing a conicalstream of pressurized water into the bowl and another nozzle directs astream of syrup against the side of the water stream. The bowl isprovided with an abutment to produce a swirling action of the water andsyrup therewithin and an aperture is formed in the bottom of the bowlfor draining the admixture of water and syrup into the lower portion ofthe chamber.

PATENTEDNUV 2 mn 3,617. 032

654/5 /4. QACY CARBONATOR AND METHOD OF CARBONATION BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to the field of carbonatorsand more particularly to carbonator blenders for producing and storing acarbonated admixture of water and syrup for use in the dispensing ofsoft drinks and the like.

Various problems have been experienced in the use of prior devices andmethods. Carbonated water has lacked stability at atmospheric pressure.Stratification of syrup and water has taken place in the bottom of acarbonator blender. As a result, a Brix variation of from four to 18 hasbeen experienced. Excessive foaming of the product in the carbonator andplugging of associated values as a result thereof has also been aproblem.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved carbonatorand/or blending carbonator which produces an improved product and as aresult of the improvements incorporated therein, the Brix of the blendedproduct is virtually absolutely consistent. For example, the Brix ismaintained with a variation which does not exceed plus or minusonetenth, i.e., l2.0. $0.1 Brix. In addition, no measurable differencein carbonation is detectable at any time in the blended product. Foamingis also controlled such that only that which is required for carbonationand blending is generated, regardless of the temperature of theingredients. Furthermore, all product stored in the carbonator iscompletely blended. As a result of improved carbonation stability lessfoaming or gas breakout is experienced during dispensing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An open-top bowl disposed in a carbonatingchamber receives a downwardly diverging conical stream of water underpressure which impinges the sidewall of the bowl, there being anaperture in the bottom of the bowl for draining the admixture therefromat a rate which is sufiicient to maintain a level of admixture withinthe bowl. A stream of syrup is directed against the side of the conicalstream of'water, and a flow-diverging abutment on the interior of thesidewall produces a swirling or turbulent action of the admixture withinthe bowl. The conical stream of water impinges the sidewall of the bowlalong a line above the level of the admixture therein and breaks upsurplus foam and confines foam which may be produced within the bowl.

Many other features as well as additional advantages and objects of thepresent invention will become manifest to those versed in the art uponmaking reference to the detailed description which follows and theaccompanying sheet of drawings, in which a preferred structuralembodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention isshown by way of illustrative example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an elevational view of ablending carbonator constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the carbonatorshown in FIG. 1 and includes mounting apparatus for the same.

HO. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the bowl-shaped member housedwithin the carbonator taken along lines Illlll of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a valve which ismounted in the carbonator at the C0,inlet. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODlMENT Although the principles of the present invention are ofutility in a method of and apparatus for carbonating water, theinvention finds particular utility in the preparation of carbonatedwater-syrup product in the dispensing of soft drinks and in thepreferred embodiment thereof illustrated herein comprises a blendingcarbonator indicated generally at reference numeral in FIGS. 1 and 2.Other forms of apparatus can be constructed to embody the disclosedmethod.

The carbonator 10 may be more particularly characterized as comprising apressure tank 11 which is essentially cylindrically shaped to provide achamber 12 therewithin. Mounted in the upper section 13 of the tank 11is a water inlet 14, a syrup inlet 15, a CO inIet l6 and a productoutlet 17. I The water inlet 14 is adapted for connection to a source ofpressurized water, for example, a high-pressure positive displacementwater pump. The line connection between the water inlet 14 and thehigh-pressure pump may include a flow regulator as well as a restrictiveorifice in order to provide a predetermined flow rate of water at apredetermined pressure, for example, approximately 100 p.s.i.g.

The syrup inlet 15 is an optional feature which is required in thepreferred embodiment and is adapted for connection to a source of syrupunder pressure, the syrup supply apparatus being so constructed andarranged that the syrup may be at a pressure of about p.s.i.g., forexample, at the syrup inlet 15. When no syrup is provided, the device isreferred to herein as a carbonator, and when syrup is provided, thedevice is referred to herein as a carbonator blender. The carbon dioxidegas inlet 16 is adapted for connection to a pressure-regulated supply ofC0,gas for maintaining the chamber 12 of the tank 11 under suitablepressure, for example, 20-35 p.s.i.g.

The product outlet 17 is adapted for connection to any suitabledispensing apparatus such as, for example, a conventional manuallyoperated soda fountain dispensing valve used in the dispensing ofcarbonated soft drinks.

The inlets 14-16 and the outlet 17 are in communication with the chamber12, in which the water and syrup are thoroughly mixed and the admixtureis carbonated and stored in the lower portion of the chamber 12 until itis drawn off for use through the product outlet 17 via a syphon tube 18which extends from the outlet 17 down to the lower end of chamber 12.The supply of water and syrup into the chamber 12 may be controlled bysuitable valve mechanisms employed in the lines which connect the waterand syrup inlets l4 and 15 to the respective sources of the same.

The value mechanisms may be of any suitable type including, for example,mechanical or electromechanical valves.

In one arrangement, for example, the supply valves may be of thesolenoid-operated type, the switch mechanisms for the same beingoperative to open and close the valves in response to the quantity ofwater-syrup admixture in the chamber 12. In the illustrated embodimentthe tank II is mounted on a frame indicated generally at referencenumber I9 which includes a pair of pivotal mounting brackets 20 and 21which enable the tank 11 to move vertically with respect to the frame19, and a spring 22 which biases the tank 11 upwardly. As water andsyrup is introduced into the tank 11, thereby increasing the weightthereof, the tank will move slowly downwardly against the bias of thespring 22. Suitable switching mechanisms are associated with the frame19 to close the valve mechanisms in the water and syrup lines after thetank is moved downwardly to a predetermined level with respect to theframe 19. As the product is drawn from the outlet 17 and the weightthereof decreases, the tank 11 will gradually rise relative to the frame19, and the said switch mechanisms are actuated by such upward movementof the tank 11 to open the water and syrup lines until the quantity ofadmixture within the tank 11 again reaches a predetermined level.

As illustrated, the inlets 14-16 and the outlet 17 are disposed in anupper end 23 of the tank 11 and each comprises a conduit connection asindicated at reverence numerals 24. The water inlet 14 also includes ahorizontal passageway 26 formed in an upper wall 27 of the tank 11,which passageway 26 communicates with the conduit 24 and which includesan enlarged diameter portion 28 which houses a water inlet check valve29. The carbon dioxide gas inlet 16 comprises a snifter valve 30 forpermitting two-way flow of gas but precluding flow of liquid outwardlyto the source of gas. A pressure relief valve 32 is also mounted in thetop wall 27 of the tank 11.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention and toprovide the improved product resulting therefrom, the water isintroduced into the upper end of the extending cylindrical sidewall 37which is closed at bottom by means of a 12 through a verticalcylindrical passageway 33 which communicates with the flow passageway 26and which directs a spray of water in the form of an unbroken conicalwall downwardly into the chamber 12. The conical wall of water as itemanates from the passageway 33, which passageway may be referred to asa water outlet or nozzle, is'indicated schematically by the dashed linesat reference numeral 34. Situated below the water nozzle 33 is abowl-shaped member 36 which receives the water being sprayed downwardlyfrom the noule 33.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bowl 36 comprises a verticallyextending cylindrical sidewall 37 which is closed at the bottom by meansof a bottom wall 38 and which is open at the top as indicated atreference numeral 39. The sidewall 37 is concentrically arranged withrespect to an inner cylindrical wall 40 of the tank 11 and is disposedin radially inwardly on relation with respect thereto, thereby toprovide a flow path protuberance enable the C0, to circulate freelywithin the chamber 12.

Formed on one side of the bowl sidewall 37 is a recess 41, past whichthe syphon tube 18 extends, and on an almost diametrically opposed sideis formed an embossment or protuberance 42 which, in the embodimentillustrated, extends vertically in a semicylindrical configuration fromthe bottom wall 38 of the bowl 36 to the top open end 39 thereof.

The syrup inlet also comprises a horizontal passageway 43 whichcommunicates with its respective conduit connection 24 as well as with avertical cylindrical flow passageway 44 which opens downwardly into thechamber 12 through a syrup outlet port indicated at reference numeral46. The water outlet or nozzle 33 is disposed on the axis on the tankwall 40 and in axial alignment with the bowl 36, but the syrup outletport 46 is offset with respect to the water nozzle 33 such that it isdisposed radially outwardly of the conical wall of water emanating fromthe water nozzle 33. Accordingly, as the syrup discharges from the syrupoutlet port 46 it is directed downwardly against the outer side of theconical wall of water and is carried thereby downwardly and radiallyoutwardly along with the water in a manner illustrated schematically bythe arrowed directional lines indicated at reference numeral 47.

The water nozzle 33 and the bowl 36 are so constructed and arranged thatthe curtain or conical wall of water emanating from the nozzle 33impinges the cylindrical sidewall 37 along a line indicatedschematically at reference numeral 48 which is spaced substantiallyupwardly from the bottom wall 38 of the bowl In FIG. 3 the water nozzle33 and the syrup outlet port 46 are indicated diagrammatically, and suchillustration discloses that the protuberance 42 and the syrup outletport 46 are arranged in radial alignment with reference to the axis ofthe bowl 36 and to the water nozzle 33.

During operation of the carbonator 10 the water passes through the flowpassageway 26 at a high velocity and violently discharges from theright-angle nozzle 33 in the form of a cone spray having an includedangle which may be in the order of about 45. The lower edge of theconical water wall 34 impinges the vertical wall 37 of the bowl 36thereby producing a foaming action in the water. While foam is createdin the bowl 36, however, the water wall 34 provides an umbrella orenveloping effect on the foam to restrict it within the confines of theconical water wall as by providing a foambreaking-up action and therebyto prevent the same from building up and flowing out of the bowl 36 overthe open top end 39.

At the same time the syrup is discharged from the outlet port 46 in arelatively low-velocity stream and falls downwardly on the outer side ofthe conical water wall 34. The violent water spray bends the fallingstream of syrup and drives the same against the sidewall 37 of the bowl36 to disperse and admix the syrup thoroughly with the water.

As the water and syrup are driven to the wall 37, the mixture forcefullyengages the rounded abutment 42, whereupon the mixture is divided intotwo divergent streams indicated respectively in FIG. 3 at referencenumerals 49 and 50 which separate from each other each other incircumferentially opposite directions to create a swirling action and tofurther admix the water and syrup.

Thus the introduction of water and syrup into the bowl 36 occurssimultaneously, the chamber 12 being continuously pressurized with COgas. The violent agitation of the water and syrup admixture in the bowl36 effects complete carbonation of the same throughout the admixture.

The interior bottom wall 38 of the bowl 36 is concavely shaped and hasan outlet or aperture 51 centrally thereof to enable the admixture inthe bowl 36 to drain therefrom into the lower end of the tank 11. Thesize of aperture 51 is related to the flow rates of the water and syrupso as to maintain a level of water-syrup admixture at the bottom of thebowl 36 as the water and syrup are being sprayed into the bowl. Thelevel of admixture as indicated at reference numeral 52 is below thehorizontal line 48 along which the lower edge of the conical water wall34 impinges the sidewall 37 of the bowl 36. As the admixture drains fromthe aperture 51 it is stored in the lower end of the chamber 12 until itis drawn off through the product outlet 17. As a result of the thoroughadmixing of water and syrup and the complete carbonation of theadmixture, the carbonation of the stored product remains stable andwithout stratification of the syrup and water. The Brix of the blendedproduct is maintained at a very consistent level, approximately within0. l, and all foaming action is confined within the bowl 36, thusconferring upon the carbonator 10 the ability to produce an improvedproduct in any dispensing operation.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in theart, it should be understood that i wish to em body within the scope ofthe patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably comewithin the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of producing a carbonated beverage, comprising the steps of:

a. pressurizing a chamber with carbon dioxide gas;

b. directing a stream of water in the shape of a conical wall downwardlyin the chamber against the inner sidewall of an open-top bowl to producea carbonated water-foam which is confined in the lower portion of thebowl by the confining action of the conical wall of water; and

c. draining the admixture through an opening in the lower most portionof the bottom of the bowl to the lower portion of the chamber at a ratesufficient to maintain a level of the admixture in the bottom of thebowl.

2. A method of producing a carbonated beverage according to claim 1including the step of directing a stream of syrup downwardly in thechamber against the outer side of the conical wall of water to admixwith the water in the bowl.

3. A method of producing a carbonated beverage according to claim 2including the step of dividing the conical wall of water into twodivergent streams so as to direct the same away from each other incircumferentially opposite directions at a dividing area formed on theinner sidewall of the bowl, such area being in radial alignment with thedownward stream of syrup with reference to the axis of the conical wallof water for creating a swirling action in the admixture.

4. A carbonator comprising a tank having a pressure chamber therewithin,

means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas, asubstantially cylindrically shaped open-top bowl disposed in saidchamber, means forming a nozzle for directing a stream of water in theshape of a conical wall downwardly in said chamber against the innerside of said bowl for producing a carbonated-water foam which isconfined in the bowl by the confining action of the conical wall ofwater and means forming an aperture in the central portion of the bottomof said bowl for draining the admixture therefrom to the lower portionof the chamber at a rate sufficient to maintain a level of the admixturein the bottom of the bowl beneath the conical wall,

said nozzle and said aperture being aligned substantially along the axisof said bowl.

5. A carbonator according to claim 4 including means formed on the innersidewall of said bowl in radial alignment with said syrup directingmeans with reference to the axis of the conical wall of water fordividing the stream of syrup and portion of the conical wall into twodivergent streams which separate from each other in circumferentiallyopposite directions for creating a swirling action of the admixture inthe bowl.

6. A carbonator according to claim 4 having a snifter valvecommunicating with said chamber above said bowl and through which thecarbon dioxide gas is admitted.

7. A carbonator according to claim 4 including means for directing astream of syrup downwardly in the chamber in axially offset relation tothe axis of said bowl and against the outer side of the conical wall ofwater to admix with the water in the bowl.

8. A carbonator comprising a tank having a pressure chamber therein,

means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas,

a bowl disposed in said chamber having a substantially cylindricallyshaped wall extending upwardly from a bottom,

means above said bowl bottom forming a nozzle for directing a spray ofwater in the shape of a conical wall downwardly in said bowl against theinner wall for producing a carbonated water foam which is confined inthe bowl by the confining action of the conical wall of water, and

means forming an aperture in the lowermost inner portion of said bowlfor draining the admixture therefrom to a lower portion of the chamberat a rate sufficient to maintain a level of admixture in the bottom ofthe bowl beneath and during the conical spray, and for completelydraining the bowl of admixed water.

2. A method of producing a carbonated beverage according to claim 1including the step of directing a stream of syrup downwardly in thechamber against the outer side of the conical wall of water to admixwith the water in the bowl.
 3. A method of producing a carbonatedbeverage according to claim 2 including the step of dividing the conicalwall of water into two divergent streams so as to direct the same awayfrom each other in circumferentially opposite directions at a dividingarea formed on the inner sidewall of the bowl, such area being in radialalignment with the downward stream of syrup with reference to the axisof the conical wall of water for creating a swirling action in theadmixture.
 4. A carbonator comprising a tank having a pressure chambertherewithin, means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxidegas, a substantially cylindrically shaped open-top bowl disposed in saidchamber, means forming a nozzle for directing a stream of water in theshape of a conical wall downwardly in said chamber against the innerside of said bowl for producing a carbonated-water foam which isconfined in the bowl by the confining action of the conical wall ofwater and means forming an aperture in the central portion of the bottomof said bowl for draining the admixture therefrom to the lower portionof the chamber at a rate sufficient to maintain a level of the admixturein the bottom of the bowl beneath the conical wall, said nozzle and saidaperture being aligned substantially along the axis of said bowl.
 5. Acarbonator according to claim 4 including means formed on the innersidewall of said bowl in radial alignment with said syrup directingmeans with reference to the axis of the conical wall of water fordividing the stream of syrup and portion of the conical wall into twodivergent streams which separate from each other in circumferentiallyopposite directions for creating a swirling action of the admixture inthe bowl.
 6. A carbonator according to claim 4 having a snifter valvecommunicating with said chamber above said bowl and through which thecarbon dioxide gas is admitted.
 7. A carbonator according to claim 4including means for directing a stream of syrup downwardly in thechamber in axially offset relation to the axis of said bowl and againstthe outer side of the conical wall of water to admix with the water inthe bowl.
 8. A carbonator comprising a tank having a pressure chambertherein, means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas, abowl disposed in said chamber having a substantially cylindricallyshaped wall extending upwardly from a bottom, means above said bowlbottom forming a nozzle for directing a spray of water in the shape of aconical wall downwardly in said bowl against the inner wall forproducing a carbonated water foam which is confined in the bowl by theconfining action of the conical wall of water, and means forming anaperture in the lowermost inner portion of said bowl for draining theadmixture therefrom to a lower portion of the chamber at a ratesufficient to maintain a level of admixture in the bottom of the bowlbeneath and during the conical spray, and for completely draining thebowl of admixed water.